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How to attend the Papal audience?
Be a part of the Wednesday Papal audience with guaranteed seats.
- Witness the Pope lead serene hymnal prayers at St. Peter's Square as you join in on mass.
- Immerse in a beautiful gathering surrounded by magnificent architecture. If you choose, an expert guide will let you in on everything taking place.
- Make the most of your visit to St. Peter's Square with a guided tour of the basilica, its chapels, and papal tombs.
Be a part of the Wednesday Papal audience with guaranteed seats.
- Witness the Pope lead serene hymnal prayers at St. Peter's Square as you join in on mass.
- Immerse in a beautiful gathering surrounded by magnificent architecture. If you choose, an expert guide will let you in on everything taking place.
- Make the most of your visit to St. Peter's Square with a guided tour of the basilica, its chapels, and papal tombs.
Inclusions
- Invitation to the Vatican Papal Audience & guaranteed seating
- Guided tour of St. Peter's Basilica or the Papal Audience (as per option selected)
- Expert English or Spanish-speaking guide (as per option selected)
- Tip: Try to grab an aisle seat. The Pope will come through the crowd, so you have a better chance of getting a closer look.
- Strict dress code: knees and shoulders must be covered for all guests.
- Mobile phones must remain on silent mode inside the Basilica.
- This experience is wheelchair and pram/stroller accessible.
- You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Complete Vatican tour including Museums, Chapel and exclusive access to St. Peter’s Basilic via a hidden passage.
- Save 2-3 hours by skipping the ticketing queues at the Vatican's top three - Museums, Chapel, and Basilica.
- Navigate the Museums' legendary galleries and rooms with your guide who shares exciting insights in your preferred language.
- Hear key facts before walking in and admiring Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel many frescoes, including The Last Judgment.
- Skip the usual 2-hour Basilica queue and enter directly from the Sistine Chapel via a hidden door.
- Upgrade for a fully guided experience inside St. Peter’s Basilica, home to Bernini’s Baldachin and Michelangelo’s Pietà.
Complete Vatican tour including Museums, Chapel and exclusive access to St. Peter’s Basilic via a hidden passage.
- Save 2-3 hours by skipping the ticketing queues at the Vatican's top three - Museums, Chapel, and Basilica.
- Navigate the Museums' legendary galleries and rooms with your guide who shares exciting insights in your preferred language.
- Hear key facts before walking in and admiring Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel many frescoes, including The Last Judgment.
- Skip the usual 2-hour Basilica queue and enter directly from the Sistine Chapel via a hidden door.
- Upgrade for a fully guided experience inside St. Peter’s Basilica, home to Bernini’s Baldachin and Michelangelo’s Pietà.
Inclusions
- Guided tour of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel with skip-the-line entry
- Skip-the-line entry or guided tour of St. Peter's Basilica
- Expert English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, or Portuguese-speaking guide
- Headphones
Exclusions
- Gratuities
- Entry to St. Peter's Basilica Dome
- Names on tickets must match a valid photo ID. Double-check the details at checkout for a smooth entry.
- Your ticket includes a specific entry time. Arrive at least 15 minutes prior to your chosen slot.
- Knees, shoulders, and back must be covered for all guests.
- While the tour is not accessible to wheelchair users, the Vatican Museums offer free wheelchair hire and free entry for visitors with mobility impairments (certified invalidity exceeding 74%) and a companion if required.
- When in Sistine Chapel, silence is mandatory and photography is prohibited. Guides will provide all necessary and interesting details before entry.
- Expect a considerable wait at the security line, especially during peak times. Patience is key, it could take up to an hour!
- Please be aware that during the Jubilee Year, certain areas of the Vatican Museums may be inaccessible due to religious ceremonies. Additionally, entrance to St. Peter's Basilica may also experience unannounced closures. These circumstances are beyond our control. Thank you for your understanding.
- The Vatican Museums reserve the right to close any section, including the Sistine Chapel, due to unforeseen circumstances. The closure of any museum section does not entitle visitors to any refund.
- These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.
Start your Vatican journey early with exclusive access before the crowds arrive.
- Skip the ticketing lines and enter the Vatican Museums and St. Peter's Basilica before 8am, enjoying a quiet visit without the day crowds.
- Explore famous artworks such as the Torso Belvedere, Lacoon and Sons and many more with an expert guide.
- Admire Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel frescoes on the ceiling and The Last Judgment on altar, as your guide shares their stories before entry.
- Lastly, tour the world's largest basilica. You can also elevate your experience with a Dome climb via stairs for amazing city views.
Start your Vatican journey early with exclusive access before the crowds arrive.
- Skip the ticketing lines and enter the Vatican Museums and St. Peter's Basilica before 8am, enjoying a quiet visit without the day crowds.
- Explore famous artworks such as the Torso Belvedere, Lacoon and Sons and many more with an expert guide.
- Admire Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel frescoes on the ceiling and The Last Judgment on altar, as your guide shares their stories before entry.
- Lastly, tour the world's largest basilica. You can also elevate your experience with a Dome climb via stairs for amazing city views.
Inclusions
- Guided tour of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel with skip-the-line entry
- Guided tour of St Peter's Basilica (as per option selected)
- Entry to St Peter's Dome (as per option selected)
- Expert English-speaking guide
- Headsets
Exclusions
- Gratuities
- On Wednesday mornings, St. Peter’s Basilica is typically closed due to the weekly Papal audience. Be sure to check this before booking.
- Names on tickets must match a valid photo ID. Double-check the details at checkout for a smooth entry.
- Your ticket includes a specific entry time. Arrive punctually to maximize your experience.
- All visitors must undergo security checks before entry, which can take time, especially during peak season (up to an hour).
- No chatting, phones, or photography inside Sistine Chapel—just pure admiration. Your guide will share stories and history before entering.
- Knees, shoulders, and back must be covered for all guests when visiting the Vatican sites.
- While the tour is not accessible to wheelchair users, the Vatican Museums offer free wheelchair hire and free entry for visitors with mobility impairments (certified invalidity exceeding 74%) and a companion if required.
- These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.
Experience the Vatican with a customizable skip-the-line private tour.
- Tour the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel with direct entry and enjoy exclusive access to St. Peter’s Basilica via a secret back door.
- Enjoy a truly private experience with just you, your group, and an expert guide dedicated solely to your tour, enriching your visit with lesser-known trivia and backstories.
- Personalize your journey—explore sections like the Borgia Apartments, Braccio Nuovo, or focus on hidden gems that fascinate you most.
- Upgrade your visit with an exclusive guided tour of the Basilica, where you’ll see the famous Pietà and Michelangelo's magnificent dome up close.
Experience the Vatican with a customizable skip-the-line private tour.
- Tour the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel with direct entry and enjoy exclusive access to St. Peter’s Basilica via a secret back door.
- Enjoy a truly private experience with just you, your group, and an expert guide dedicated solely to your tour, enriching your visit with lesser-known trivia and backstories.
- Personalize your journey—explore sections like the Borgia Apartments, Braccio Nuovo, or focus on hidden gems that fascinate you most.
- Upgrade your visit with an exclusive guided tour of the Basilica, where you’ll see the famous Pietà and Michelangelo's magnificent dome up close.
Inclusions
- Private guided tour of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel with skip-the-line access
- Entry and private guided tour of St. Peter's Basilica (as per option selected)
- Expert English/Spanish/French/German/Italian-speaking guide
- Headsets
- The price displayed is for two people and increases as you add more participants.
- Names on tickets must match a valid photo ID. Double-check the details at checkout for a smooth entry.
- Your tour includes a specific entry time and delays entry might result in denied entry. Arrive punctually to maximize your experience.
- Cover your shoulders, knees, and backs—this applies to all visitors.
- While the tour is not accessible to wheelchair users, the Vatican Museums offer free wheelchair hire and free entry for visitors with mobility impairments (certified invalidity exceeding 74%) and a companion if required.
- When in Sistine Chapel, silence is mandatory and photography is prohibited. Guides will provide all necessary and interesting details before entry.
- Security checks are mandatory for all visitors and may result in wait times, especially during peak season they might stretch to an hour.
- The Vatican Museums reserve the right to close any section, including the Sistine Chapel, due to unforeseen circumstances. The closure of any museum section does not entitle visitors to any refund.
- These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.
Explore the Basilica with an expert guide and climb the dome for great city views.
- Walk with an expert through the art-filled interiors of St. Peter’s Basilica, including the iconic Pietà and the Papal Crypts in the Vatican Grottoes.
- Admire Michelangelo's genius up close while climbing the Dome—this is one photo op you won't want to miss!
- Begin your day with an optional breakfast before the tour—an exclusive offering for French and English language options.
Explore the Basilica with an expert guide and climb the dome for great city views.
- Walk with an expert through the art-filled interiors of St. Peter’s Basilica, including the iconic Pietà and the Papal Crypts in the Vatican Grottoes.
- Admire Michelangelo's genius up close while climbing the Dome—this is one photo op you won't want to miss!
- Begin your day with an optional breakfast before the tour—an exclusive offering for French and English language options.
Inclusions
- Guided tour of St. Peter's Basilica and Dome with entry
- Expert English, Spanish, French, German or Italian-speaking guide
- Access by elevator to the base and stairs to the top
- Breakfast (for French and English options, if selected)
Exclusions
- Entry to Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel
- Entry to the Necropolis / St. Peter’s Tomb / Scavi
- Tip: While climbing the Dome, peek through special windows for rare views of the Basilica’s interiors below.
- Knees and shoulders must be covered for all guests.
- The Dome is not suitable for wheelchair users or those with vertigo or claustrophobia. Even with elevator access, 320 steps must be climbed to reach the cupola.
- Expect extended wait times at security, especially during peak hours, which may exceed 2 hours. Patience is key!
- These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.
Vatican TicketsPapal Audience
Top things to do in Rome
What is the Papal Audience?
Have you ever wanted to see the Pope in real life? The Papal Audience is a great opportunity to do so. Every Wednesday at St. Peter's Square, the Pope greets and addresses pilgrims from all over the world. The Pope greets and addresses a gathering of Christian pilgrims, devotees, and inspired visitors around St. Peter’s Square. The Papal Audience is seen as a way for the Pope to keep in personal touch with his followers and strengthen their faith through his messages.
The Pope makes a reading and delivers a short sermon followed by the final prayer and a bestowal of Papal blessings. These are delivered in Italian, though, short summaries are provided in English and other languages. The General Audience was started as early as 1939 by Pope Pius XII with the intention of praying for newly married couples. It ceased temporarily during World War II and resumed again in 1963 under Pope Paul VI to include all the faithful while speaking on themes each week such as hope, faith, and charity.
Learn all there is to know about the Papal Audience, its significance, and how you can be a part of it.
Note: While attending the Papal Audience is free, tickets are required for both individual seats and standing areas. This helps manage crowd control and ensure safety. Tickets specify a designated zone or section, not individual seats. For guaranteed seating, arrive early, especially during peak season.
How do I get Papal audience tickets?
1. Third-party vendors
With third party tickets, you can purchase Papal Audience slots. It is perhaps the most convenient way to gain entry to the Papal Audience and get add-ons such as guided tours, and a viewing of the Vatican Gardens.
2. By fax
In order to get tickets you will need to download and fill out a form from the Prefecture of the Papal Household and have it faxed to the Vatican. Once tickets are confirmed, you may collect them at the Bronze Door a day prior to the audience between 3 PM and 7 PM or between 7 AM and 10 AM on the morning of the audience.
3. By e-mail
You may also choose to email visitorsoffice@pnac.org with your request for tickets to the Pontifical North American College. Upon confirmation, you will be able to pick them up at the Trevi Fountain between 3 AM and 7 AM.
4. Through the Swiss Guards
Three days prior to the audience, you have the option of picking up tickets directly from the Swiss Guards at the Bronze Door. However, the Swiss Guards have only a limited number of tickets on hand, therefore it is advisable to book tickets in advance.
Plan your visit to Papal audience
What's the Papal Audience schedule?
Where is the Papal audience held?
Dress code
Accessibility
Rules & regulations
The General Audience with the Pope happens every Wednesday and usually begins at 9 AM. Security usually allows visitors in by 7:30 AM. The Pope’s official schedule is made known days ahead of the event. You can also refer to the Papal Audience calendar for dates when the event is held.
There are times when the Pope is overseas or is engaged in some work in which case the Papal Audience will not be held for that week.
The Papal audience is held in the spacious St. Peter’s Square close to St. Peter’s Basilica. During the Winter and the rainy season, if weather conditions are unfavorable, the Papal audience is held at the Hall of The Pontifical Audiences, also called the Papal Hall, which can accommodate over 6000 visitors.
During the Italian holiday period in August, the Pope may reside in his summer residence - Castel Gandolfo, in which case the gathering will be held there.
Getting to the Vatican
A casual dress code is followed during a Papal Audience since it happens outdoors. Being modestly dressed is still strongly advised. Shorts or dresses exposing the knees, tank tops, sleeveless shirts, and baseball caps inside the churches are not allowed. Ladies are required to cover up their shoulders if the meetings are held indoors.
Due to the heat, you may also want to bring sun hats, sunscreen, and water to keep yourself cool and protected. Men are permitted to wear hats throughout the Audience.
Read More on Vatican Dress Code
Staff at the Papal Audience prioritize seating for wheelchair users. Wheelchair users are invited to sit in a premium seating location to the right of the Pope’s speaking platform and may even get a chance to interact with the Pope after the event has concluded.
Plan Your Visit to Vatican City
Photography is allowed at the Papal Audience. Upon his arrival, as the Pope ascends the speaking platform, you are allowed to greet the Pope at the discretion of security.
Rules & Regulations in DetailWhat to expect during a Papal audience?
People from all over the world visit the Vatican with the hope of seeing the Pope and listening to his words of wisdom. Experience the following while you’re there:
The Pope
The Pope, also known as the Bishop of Rome and the Supreme Pontiff, is the leader of the Catholic Church. Deemed the spiritual successor of Saint Peter, the Pope is considered among Catholics to be the epitome of holiness, and seek his spiritual guidance in all matters. During the Papal Audience, the Pope is known to personally interact with the crowds, shaking hands with them and even signing autographs.
St. Peter’s Square
St. Peter's Square, also known as Piazza San Pietro in Italian, is a massive open space located in Vatican City where the Papal audience is usually held. The square was built in the mid-17th century and is known for its grandeur, symmetry, and stunning Baroque architecture. It is oval in shape and measures approximately 240 meters in length and 180 meters in width, surrounded by colonnades of 284 Doric pillars symbolizing the arms of the Church.
Visit St. Peter's Square
Sermon, prayers, and blessings
In his address to the faithful, the Pope will make a reading from the Gospels and disseminate small teachings in the form of a sermon based on the readings. The readings and the sermon will be summarized in various languages depending on the gathering. He will also say the Our Father in Latin. This is followed by the apostolic blessing which is given to the congregation, the sick, and loved ones.
Frequently asked questions about the Papal audience in Vatican City
Do I need tickets to attend the Papal Audience?
Yes, tickets are mandatory to attend the Papal Audience.
How can I get tickets to the Papal Audience?
Tickets for the Papal audience can be bought online or from third party vendors. Alternatively, you can secure the tickets by faxing the Vatican or by emailing the Pontifical North American College. You may also purchase them directly from the Swiss guards by the Bronze door three days prior to the event.
Is there a fee to attend the Papal Audience?
Although tickets are required for the Papal Audience, these tickets are absolutely free.
How much are Papal Audience tickets?
Tickets to attend the Papal Audience are always free. However, inclusions such as guided tours and access to other places of interest are chargeable.
Can I cancel my Papal Audience tickets?
Yes, you can cancel Papal audience tickets up to 48 hours before the it begins and get a full refund.
What is the Papal Audience?
The Papal Audience is a weekly event where the Pope greets and addresses the gathering of the faithful in St. Peter’s Square.
What happens during the Papal audience?
The address by the Pope in a Papal Audience consists of a reading, a short sermon, the final prayers, and the papal blessing. It is attended by thousands.
Where is Papal Audience held?
The Papal Audience is usually held in St. Peter’s square of the Vatican. When the weather becomes cold or rainy, the Papal Audience is held indoors within the Papal Hall.
When was the Papal Hall built?
The construction of the Papal Hall was started in 1963 and inaugurated in 1971. It was designed by Italian engineer and architect Pier Luigi Nervi.
What are Papal Audience timings?
The Papal Audience starts every Wednesday morning between 9 AM and 10:30 AM. You may refer to the Pope’s official schedule for any changes in timings.
How long is the Papal Audience?
The Papal Audience takes about an hour and a half to complete but may extend to two hours.
What can I do at Papal Audience?
At the Papal Audience, you will get a chance to see the Pope live. You can listen to his teaching and receive his blessings. You will also get a chance to see St. Peter’s square, a magnificent oval pavilion.
What should I wear to the Papal Audience?
Casual dressing is recommended since the Papal audience is usually held outdoors. But be sure to dress modestly, covering knees and shoulders within the premises of the Vatican.
Can I take photos at Papal Audience?
Yes, taking photos and selfies is permitted at a Papal Audience.
Can I talk to the Pope in a Papal Audience?
During his arrival and exit, the Pope meets and greets the public under strict security measures. Unless you are part of the special groups seated near the speaking platform like disabled visitors and newlyweds, you will not get a chance to meet the Pope personally.
Do I have to be a Christian to attend a Papal Audience?
Of course not! The pope invites visitors from all faiths to attend Papal Audiences.
How can I get to the Papal Audience?
You can reach Vatican city using the metro, train, or bus system in Rome. However, there is no public transport inside Vatican city. The best way to reach the Papal Audience is by walking.
